The centers have also taken the collegiality that is a hallmark of the ATE program to new, higher levels. The most recent example of centers collaborating is the Advanced Technology Education Resource Centers (ATERC) Network.

Eleven ATE resource centers formed the ATERC Network to increase their effectiveness and maximize their impact. The resource centers are highly visible sources of educational materials, ideas, contacts, and mentoring in particular fields of technology. They use electronic clearinghouses to disseminate exemplary materials, curricula, and pedagogical practices developed by previously funded ATE centers and projects. All the resource centers, except one, are part of and have evolved from ATE regional or national centers of excellence.

The National Science Foundation recognizes both ATERC’s charter and ATERC’s formal goals for the principal investigators of the resource centers: to work together, to learn from each, and to promote synergy among their initiatives in various disciplines.

“Everybody is sharing the best of what’s working. We’re putting our ideas together and learning from each other,” explained one resource center principal investigator. As the leaders of resource centers, the NSF expects the principal investigators to assist institutions that want to start or improve programs in their fields of expertise. With the ATERC Network, the resource center principal investigators will collectively mentor new resource center directors and others who seek their assistance.

This publication highlights other ATE collaborations and the many ways that centers are using their support from the NSF to improve technician education. The centers’ leadership and the extent of their ambitious programs are documented here as well.